Perception is everything

I always laugh when someone tells me that by not voting for Senator Obama I am showing my racial bias.  He is black (well, half black) and I am white (well, a mixture of Scandinavian, English, French, German, and Menominee Indian).  No one seems to care that I originally liked Obama, but decided that his inexperience was far too great for the office of President.  And, as the campaign progressed, I see that he is not sticking to his promises and is trying to diminish past associations, if they hurt his campaign.   When I explain this, then I am told that I am responsible for all the problems that African Americans have encountered in America and must vote for Obama to even the score.  Actually, I wasn’t around when slavery was part of our social landscape.  And, my own grandparents experienced many hardships in coming to America from the Old Country with nothing except a small satchel of clothes!  Is someone going to recompense me for THEIR injuries?  I think not.

It is presumptuous for others to assume they know why any voter is choosing their favorite.  Blacks, we are told, are voting for the Democratic ticket because they want to see the black candidate win.  Isn’t that racist?

Women, we were told, came out in droves for Senator Clinton because they wanted to see a woman candidate win.  Isn’t that sexist?

Senator McCain has a proven record of sacrificing for the country — both in war and peace.  The complaint against him is that he is too old!  Isn’t that age discrimination?

Governor Palin has more executive experience than Senator Obama.  The complaint against her is that she is not only a woman, but a woman who is putting her career ahead of her family.  Isn’t that blatant discrimination?

I am voting for McCain/Palin.  My vote has nothing whatsoever to do with race, age, or gender.  It is based on my belief that they have the experience, good judgment, and even good character to run our country fairly and squarely.

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